Planning a wedding in such uncertain times can seem quite intimidating. When there can be multiple obstacles that present themselves, like state mandates and guest restrictions, why even continue with your wedding? The easiest answer is because you are ready to be married to your soulmate! Do not let unavoidable circumstances discourage you. There are multiple ways to have a beautiful wedding and include all the guests on your list, even if they are not all allowed to be present. Read on for information on virtual weddings, what they are and how you can have the perfect virtual wedding you and your guests will love.
To begin, what is a virtual wedding? A virtual wedding is a wedding ceremony that has some or all of its guests joining virtually through a video chat platform like Zoom, FaceTime, Facebook Live, etc. Couples may opt for a virtual wedding for a number of reasons. These reasons can be because of family members who are unable to travel but still want to join in or attend the ceremony. A more common reason per recent events is the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on social gatherings it produced. Virtual weddings ideally are best with only two individuals to witness your wedding, not much more than that at least, and the rest of your guests can watch via video live streaming.
Even if you plan on having a virtual wedding, you should still include a wedding dress code. It is still your wedding after all! It is a great way to still include your guests and add a bit of normalcy to your ceremony. Most platforms will allow guests to be seen from the waist up. It may add some fun to your ceremony seeing your guests try to implement your theme into their outfits. Be sure to still include your preferred dress code on your wedding invitation. Whether you would rather a more formal look or a business casual, your guests should be expected to follow through as if they were participating in your wedding ceremony physically.
One of the most asked questions about virtual weddings is if there are any specific rules that guests should abide by. Well, actually yes there are! As stated above, dress code requirements should still be followed as with any other wedding ceremony. Another rule is that punctuality is a must. Be sure to be already in the virtual waiting room or session a little early to ensure you are not late. Any and all other normal wedding etiquette should be followed, such as being respectful and attentive. Participate when asked to and give proper respect to the bride and groom on their special day.One thing that you want to be sure to do is make sure your wedding is still legal. In the state of Louisiana, you need a marriage license and two witnesses to be married legally. So, if you want to have a small group of family or friends present to ensure you have witnesses to sign your marriage license, that would be highly recommended. Each state varies with their wedding laws, so be sure to be informed beforehand! Be sure to ask your wedding officiant or local clerk’s office any questions you may have about your wedding license or any other legal matters dealing with it.
Once you send out your invitations and decide on the dress code, you need to decide on what platform you will stream from. You should have a specific person for this job. They should be familiar with the technology and will be able to answer any questions you have. This person could be provided (for an extra fee) by your venue, wouldn’t that be absolutely wonderful and convenient? At The Louisiana Cajun Mansion Event Venue we are beginning to implement virtual weddings into our services we provide! When booking your wedding with us, be sure to inquire about a virtual wedding if that is what you are interested in. We will have more information on our virtual wedding packages soon. For more information on our venue, or our all inclusive wedding packages visit https://www.cajunmansion.com/wedding-packages or call 337-223-4722.
